Balancing Home and Work

Having a good career is important for many married women - the obvious reason: money. It is hard to live a comfortable without having a steady income of your own. Second reason is passion. Many married women are seeking fulfillment outside the home. However, having a thriving career with a failing marriage is no great achievement. We as wives and mothers must realize that the report card of respect comes not from the size of our pay checks, but the level of radiance from our husbands and children, whom we claim to be priority in our lives. Raising children with faith that lasts is our symbol of success. Our husbands' love is our greatest achievement.

Marriage and parenting are a challenging commitment. There is a cost involved. Maybe a dream that cannot be chased, a career advancement that cannot be taken, or a schedule that can't be followed. The bottom line is that our work should never compromise our marriage and our parenting. So before we sign ourselves up for more pay for more hours, we should ask ourselves, do my children feel cherished? Does my husband feel I am taking responsibility of the house in areas where he needs me? Am I fulfilling the role Allah called me to play in my ibaadah?

It is the same for husbands - before they enrol for another course or schedule another meeting, they should check if their wives are more starved for their time. There is nothing wrong in having a thriving career. Just never at the cost of our spouse and children, about whom we made a covenant with Allah.